星期二, 11月 18, 2025

波士頓公校宣佈計劃關閉2所高中1所小學

             (Boston Orange編譯)波士頓市長吳弭(Michelle Wu)和公校總監Mary Skipper週一(1117日)提案,在2027-2028學年內關閉2所高中,以及1所小學,10年內關閉約20所學校,把學校總數降至95所。

這是吳弭政府改革學校系統,縮小學區,以因應新冠病毒疫情後,人們遷出波士頓市,出生率下降,全美在嚴厲打擊移民導致學習英語者離開學校系統,註冊入學人數減少等情況的第3波行動,一但落實,將有850名學生因學校關門而受影響,另有1500名學生所就讀的學校將重整,公校系統預算估計可節省2000萬元。

吳弭和Mary Skipper強調,提案關閉及重整學校,不是要省錢,而是要讓學校運作得更好。

她們建議關閉的學校是Lee AcademyAnother Course to College  Community Academy of Science and Health,計畫要重組的學校是 William E. Russell SchoolTobin Elementary School  Henderson K-12 Inclusion School

官員們表示,學校行政人員將在週三晚的學校委員會會議上,正式提出計畫,打算關閉的學校有Lee Academy這所幼稚園到3年級,共有195名學生的學校,有253名學生註冊的Course to College,以及有398名學生的科學及健康社區學校(Community Academy of Science and Health)。

計畫還包括要重新建構3所學校,要讓目前為幼稚園學前班到5年級學生服務的William E. Russell學校增加6年級,刪除Tobin小學的78s延吉,把大樓改成一所幼稚園學前班到小學6年級的學校。有幼稚園到12年級的Henderson包容學校將改成幼稚園學前班到8年級的學校。

波士頓公校總監Mary Skipper表示,“我想要說清楚,當討論到關閉,合併或重整架構時,說的不僅只是學位而已”。

波士頓公校在2019年時,學生人數超過53,0002023年在新冠病毒疫情期間,註冊入學人數揍將至48,000。去年新移民學生穩定了註冊入學人數的下降。但是根據學區數據,波士頓公校這個學年的人數卻降得更多,來到46,800左右。

今時今日的波士頓公校學區,和上世紀相比小得多。2003年波士頓公校都還有62,000名學生註冊,縮減幅度簡直就等於整個羅爾(Lowell)學校系統了。

作為2022年避免波士頓公校被接管的條件之一,麻州政府和波士頓學區簽署的改善協議,要求建立一個長期的設施規劃。

波士頓公校現有109所學校,已經比2023-2024學年的114所學校為少。去年宣佈的關閉計畫,是要在2026-2027學年時,把學校總數降至104所。

週一宣佈的關閉及重整計劃,直到2027-2028學年前,不會實施。

波士頓教師工會會長Erik Berg聽說此事後,立即公開抨擊,要求波士頓公校在重整任何設施時,現代化其建築物。

波士頓學校委員會主席Jeri Robinson拒絕就此事發表意見。

波士頓公校週一是在和波士頓市議會會晤,討論2027會計年度預算,公校系統的經費估計為17億元多之後,做了前述宣佈。

波士頓市議員Liz Breadon在公聽會上,要求波士頓公校提出長期的學校建築物計畫,包括經費,執行日期,以及優先項目等。他說,基於波士頓公校從2013年以來,換了7名學校總監,再加上新冠病毒疫情的影響,波士頓學區必須仔細說明計畫。

波士頓學區財務長David Bloom指著學區在大約文件2年前公佈的一份文件,作為回應。

波士頓政策研究院(Boston Policy Institute)執行主任Gregory Maynard表示,波士頓公校在公聽會之後宣佈關閉學校計畫,是不給市議員們提問機會。

星期一, 11月 17, 2025

波士頓市長吳弭感謝合作夥伴 「大波士頓合作食物資源中心」將加碼營運

波士頓市長吳弭(左二)宣佈「大波士頓合作食物資源中心
營運一年的成果。麻州參議員Liza Miranda (左起),波士頓市議會議長
Ruthzee Louijeune和麻州眾議員John Moran紛紛祝賀。(周菊子攝)

          (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓綜合報導)波士頓市長吳弭(Michelle Wu)率同政要與8合作夥伴代表,今(17)早公佈「大波士頓合作食物資源中心(Greater Boston Collaborative Food Access Hub)」過去一年來的工作成績,感謝波士頓基金會等機構,讓波士頓市因應SNAP危機的款項,共增加320萬元。

波士頓市長吳弭表示,將加碼保障民眾食物不虞匱乏。(周菊子攝)
「大波士頓合作食物資源中心」是一個位於Roxbury,北安普頓(Northampton)街30號,佔地 27,000 平方英尺,內涵5,500平方英尺冷藏和冷凍空間 的倉庫,由大波士頓基督教青年會(YMCA of Greater Boston)管理,和個非牟利機構合作,從食品製造和分銷公司獲取原本會浪費的食物,並擴大新鮮農產品的供應,以達成反貧困、回收、儲存和分發新鮮健康的食物,協助民眾解決食物匱乏,可能無以果腹的危機。

大波士頓基督教青年會總裁兼執行長David Shapiro說明和8個夥伴合作情況。
(周菊子攝)

該中心是根據 2024  11 月 發佈的《食物正義辦公室食物回收評估報告》所提建議成立的。波士頓市議會在2024  3 月 撥出200萬元聯邦《美國救援計畫法案(ARPA)》,啟動這一項目,麻州總醫院布萊根(Mass General Brigham)在 2025  9 月 ,又再承諾5年 捐300 萬美元 。

宣佈會給出的數據包括,「大波士頓合作食物資源中心」營運一年以來,平均每月為2萬人服務,每週分發62千磅農產品,一年共分發170萬鎊食物,約等於150萬份餐食。

大波士頓合作食物資源中心夥伴們合影。(周菊子攝)
在這一年期間,他們回收了大約164千磅原本會被浪費的食物,等於是從開往垃圾場的路上,拯救了4輛拖車的食物。

自從聯邦政府關門,食物補助券(SNAP)出現停發危機後,波士頓市政府和波士頓基金會共募得320萬美元,用於因應這場危機,這筆錢中有100萬元是在計畫啟動時投入的,迄今發給“大波士頓食物銀行”和60多個食物儲藏室,社區組織的款項,已超過200萬元。

大波士頓基督教青年會(YMCA

大波士頓基督教青年會有2輛流動卡車,載送食物到不同地點,方便人們拿取食物果腹。
(周菊子攝)
)將和十多個夥伴合作,發放1萬多張禮品卡,讓居民到雜貨店購買食物。

波士頓市府表示,波士頓市的雜貨價格,高居全國最高之列,波士頓市內的住家,企業和工商業,每年約浪費13萬噸食物,佔所有廢棄物的25%,藉由「大波士頓合作食物資源中心」居間協調,相信今後可以大幅減少這些浪費。

食物正義辦公室已撥出總數50萬元的共12筆補助金,協助鄰里非營利組織採購,擴大冷藏設備。大波士頓基督教青年會也將和合作夥伴開發新試點,從2026年起以創新的雜貨店風格,設立新鮮食物分發中心。

大波士頓基督教青年會(YMCA of Greater Boston)總裁兼執行長David Shapiro,麻州參議員Liz Miranda麻州眾議員John Moran,波士頓市議會議長Ruthzee Louijeune等人,今天都特地出席,以示支持人民的食物安全。

Columbus Park Trellis Lighting November 24

  Columbus Park Trellis Lighting November 24

The Boston Parks and Recreation Department and the Friends of Christopher Columbus Park will host the 23rd annual holiday lighting of the trellis at Christopher Columbus Park in the North End on Monday, November 24, at 5 p.m.

Located at 110 Atlantic Avenue on Boston’s historic waterfront, Christopher Columbus Park will be transformed into a beautiful holiday display when the park and its trellis are illuminated with 50,000 blue lights.

The celebration is sponsored by H.P. Hood, LLC and the Friends of Christopher Columbus Park.  

The trellis lighting ceremony at Columbus Park will feature a festive lineup of entertainment, with performances by students and instructors from the North End Music and Performing Arts Center (NEMPAC). Guests will enjoy holiday classics from Grammy Award Winning Artist Joelle James and Northeastern University a cappella group, Pitch, Please!, will deliver unique renditions of holiday favorites. Special guests Santa Claus and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer will make an appearance, delighting children and adults alike. 

Refreshments will include eggnog from H.P. Hood, clam chowder from Joe's Waterfront, and hot chocolate and cookies from the Boston Marriott Long Wharf. Visitors can also enjoy holiday arts and crafts led by local artists. 

Other 2025 holiday celebrations hosted by the Boston Parks and Recreation Department include the lighting of the ship in Martin’s Park at the Children’s Wharf Harborwalk on November 29, the Copley Square Tree Lighting on December 1, and the Boston Common tree lighting followed by the lighting of the trees on Commonwealth Avenue Mall on December 4. 

Visit boston.gov/holidaylights for more information about the season’s festivities. To stay up to date with news, events, and improvements in Boston parks visit boston.gov/parks, call (617) 635-4505, join our email list, and follow our social channels @bostonparksdept on X, Facebook, Instagram, and @parks.boston.gov on Bluesky

Healey-Driscoll Administration Expands Early Literacy Training for Educators through Literacy Launch Institutes

Healey-Driscoll Administration Expands Early Literacy Training for Educators through Literacy Launch Institutes   

Registration now open for early literacy professional development 

BOSTON – The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced the opening of registration for the second year of Literacy Launch Institutes, a statewide program that provides early literacy training for educators working with children in pre-K through grade 3. Over the summer, the first Literacy Launch Institutes reached over 500 school and community-based preschool program educators and higher education early literacy faculty. 

Part of Governor Healey’s Literacy Launch: Reading Success from Age 3 through Grade 3 initiative, the institutes provide hands-on, evidence-based professional learning to strengthen early literacy instruction. Literacy Launch remains a key pillar of the state’s investment in helping all children learn to read by third grade. Eligible educators can register for the institutes online.   

“It’s crucial for our teachers to have access to high-quality early literacy training to support all of their students,” said Governor Maura Healey. “These institutes give hundreds of teachers and school leaders the opportunity to learn cutting-edge, evidence-based literacy practices at no cost.” 

“With Literacy Launch Institutes, we’re advancing our commitment to high-quality literacy education in Massachusetts,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “Any public school early literacy educator can participate at no cost and learn the most up-to-date research and tools to help students succeed.” 

This year, the Literacy Launch Institutes will serve up to 1,300 educators across four summer institutes and two Friday/Saturday institutes held during the school year. The 2026 schedule of institutes kicks off with trainings in Worcester and Northampton in January, February and March. 

“It was great to attend the first Literacy Launch Institutes over the summer, and I am pleased we are able to offer more sessions this year,” said Education Secretary Dr. Patrick Tutwiler. “When teachers have access to strong training and ongoing support, students thrive. These institutes represent the next step in our efforts to build a literacy system that works for every child.” 

Jointly offered by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC), Literacy Launch Institutes provide four full days of in-person training. Educators will learn how to integrate evidence-based and culturally sustaining literacy instruction in diverse classrooms. Any Massachusetts public school educator who supports literacy instruction in grades pre-K – 3 is eligible to register at no cost until registration is full. This includes classroom teachers, special education teachers, English as a second language teachers, school principals and district leaders. Higher education faculty and leaders who train pre-service teachers in early literacy are also eligible, as are some community-based preschool teachers.  

Massachusetts-based HILL for Literacy will facilitate the institutes. Teams that complete the program will be eligible to apply for additional in-school support during the 2026–27 school year. Participants will earn Professional Development Points (PDPs), and certain participants are eligible to receive a stipend for successful completion of an institute. 

“The first time we offered Literacy Launch Institutes, we had more demand than seats,” said Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Pedro Martinez. “I was thrilled to see how many educators—both new and experienced—participated, and I’m glad to offer more institutes in 2026.”  

“Early educators play a critical role in building the foundation for lifelong reading success, and these institutes provide the tools and training to support young learners,” said Early Education and Care Commissioner Amy Kershaw. “The Administration’s investment in high-quality, evidence-based literacy instruction helps ensure each child in Massachusetts has the opportunity to be a confident, capable reader.” 

The FY26 state budget included $15 million for Literacy Launch, supporting educator training, district grants, and teacher preparation program alignment. 

波士頓市的聖誕樹18日從加拿大抵達

CITY OF BOSTON’S OFFICIAL TREE ARRIVES NOVEMBER 18

BOSTON – Monday, November 17, 2025 – Mayor Michelle Wu today announced that the annual gift of an evergreen Christmas tree from Nova Scotia is scheduled to arrive by police escort at Boston Common at approximately 11 a.m. on Tuesday, November 18. 


This marks the 54th year of the annual tree donation, celebrating 108 years of friendship between Boston and Nova Scotia. The tradition honors the people of Boston for their emergency assistance following the devastating 1917 munitions explosion in Halifax Harbor. The first "Tree for Boston" was donated in 1971 by Joseph Slauenwhite from Lunenburg County.


“It was an honor and delight to join our neighbors in Nova Scotia last week to deliver our thanks and support from Boston as this special tree started its journey. Our two communities share a special bond that continues to be strengthened year after year through this holiday tradition and our ongoing partnership,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “The Boston Common tree lighting is a treasured event that has brought families together in holiday cheer for more than a century, and I look forward to an even warmer celebration this year.”


“Halifax’s friendship with Boston spans centuries," said Halifax Regional Municipality Mayor Andy Fillmore. “At our darkest hour after the Halifax Explosion, Boston was there. Our bond is forged by history and strengthened through tradition. I was very pleased to meet Mayor Wu in Halifax, and look forward to seeing her in Boston in December.”


Boston’s official 2025 tree is a 45-foot-tall white spruce nominated by Ronald and Claire Feener of Lunenburg County, Nova Scotia. The tree will arrive at Boston Common on Tuesday, November 18 at 11 a.m. by flatbed truck. The public is welcome to cheer the tree’s arrival with candy canes and an appearance by Santa.


Interim Boston Parks and Recreation Commissioner Cathy Baker-Eclipse, Santa Claus, the Boston Park Rangers, and local school children will greet the tree at its final destination near the Boston Visitors Center at 139 Tremont Street. The tree will be lit at approximately 7:55 p.m. on Thursday, December 4, as the City of Boston’s official tree lighting is celebrated on Boston Common from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The ceremony will be broadcast live on WCVB Channel 5 starting at 7 p.m.


The annual tree lighting on Boston Common is presented by the Boston Parks and Recreation Department and title sponsor, The Province of Nova Scotia. The event is supported by presenting sponsor Amazon, signature sponsor Meet Boston, key sponsors Constellation Power and JetBlue, and media sponsors WCVB Channel 5 and the Boston Globe. 


On Sunday, November 9th, Mayor Michelle Wu and her family visited Nova Scotia, Canada, to highlight the continuing partnership between the City of Boston and Province of Nova Scotia. During the visit, Mayor Wu participated in the Tree for Boston tree cutting ceremony — becoming the first Boston Mayor to attend and participate in the ceremony for Boston’s iconic holiday staple. In addition to participating in the tree cutting ceremony, Mayor Wu met with Canadian Officials, exchanged gifts with Halifax Mayor Andy Filmore, visited Port Innovation, Engagement and Research (PIER), and toured the Health Innovation Hub. Additional photos from the visit are available here.


Visit boston.gov/holidaylights for more information about the season’s festivities. To stay up to date with news, events, and improvements in Boston parks visit boston.gov/parks, call (617)-635-4505, join our email list, and follow our social channels @bostonparksdept on X, Facebook, Instagram, and @parks.boston.gov on Bluesky.

波士頓市老人局招聘兼職耆英社區大使

             (Boston Orange)波士頓老人局(Boston Age Strong Commission)今(17)日宣佈,招聘15名耆英社區大使(Age Strong Community Ambassadors),每週10小時的兼職,幫助波士頓市府聯繫未受到充分照顧的社區民眾。

            波士頓市老人局將把大使分成3組,每組5人,目前正招聘與拉丁裔( Latinx),同性戀( LGBTQIA),華裔,索馬利亞(Somali)和佛得角(Cabo Verdean)社區關係緊密的.15名耆英。

            波士頓老人局耆英社區大使這兼職工作,時薪25元,每週工作10小時,需要主持聚會,和居民交談,參加鄰里會議,和人聯繫,並加強關係。波士頓老人局會提供培訓。

           查詢海報,可點擊Click here ,下在波士頓老人局的職務說明,可點擊Click here,申請這工作,可點擊Click here查詢更多詳情可上網,或致電617-635-2451Jordan Rich,發電郵ageambassador@boston.gov.

2026羅德學者名單揭曉 新英格蘭地區14人 Sophia Wang唯一華裔

MIT的2026羅德學者,左起,Vivian Chinoda, Alice Hall, Sofia Lara和
Sophia Wang
。(圖片來自MIT校報)
   Boston Orange編譯) 羅德信託基金會(Rhodes Trust)週日(1116日)揭曉2026年的羅德學者(Rhodes Scholars)名單,全球共100多人,美國32人,其中14人就讀新英格蘭地區大專院校,包括MIT 4人,哈佛及耶魯各3人。MIT的 Sophia Wong 是唯一華裔。

羅德獎學金是在1903年,依照Cecil John Rhodes醫囑所設立的獎學金,在世界上享有選拔最嚴格,最受尊崇等盛名。該獎學金每年在全球各地選出優秀學生,發給獎學金,邀他們到牛津大學研究所進修一到三年。

這獎學金最初只限男性申請,1976年才改變這性別限制。

獲選者可獲得前往英國牛津大學(University of Oxford)研究所深造,資助全額學費,發給年度生活津貼(2025-2026年度為20,400英鎊)的獎學金。羅德信託基金會還另外發給獲選者申請牛津大學的費用,進英國的簽證及醫療保險費用,往返英國的2張經濟艙機票,抵達牛津時的一筆安家費等。

2026屆的羅德獎學金,美國總共有2800人申請,得到的264所大學院校認可的956名學生,經由羅德獎學金所劃分16個美國區域的遴選委員會邀請了238名入圍決賽者面試,最後依照羅德獎學金規章,每個美國區域各選出2人的共選出32名羅德學者。

本屆美國羅德學者來自19州和1個特區的22所大學院校,其中Colby學院,Rutgers大學,和喬治華盛頓大學都是最近這25年來,第一次又有了一名羅德學者。哈佛、耶魯、麻省理工學院,以及美國西點軍校,各有4名學生獲選為羅德學者。

新英格蘭地區獲選為羅德學者的14人,分別為:

大學/學院

地點

人數

獲學者姓名

麻省理工學院 (MIT)

麻州劍橋

4

Sophia Wang, Alice Hall, Sofia Lara, Vivian Chinoda 

哈佛大學

麻州劍橋

3

Yael Goldstein, Emma Finn, Anil A.S. Cacodar

耶魯大學

康州紐黑文

3

Noah Tirschwell Aruna Balasubramanian, August Rios

布朗大學

羅德島

普羅維登斯

2

Nicholas Sanzi, Keidy Palma Ramirez 

達特茅斯學院

新罕布夏州

1

Esmeralda Abreu Jerez

科爾比學院

緬因州

沃特維爾

1

Daniel Juzych

麻省理工學院校報,16日已立即報導喜訊。

本年度唯一獲選為羅德學者的華裔學生Sophia J. Wang來自康州木橋(Woodbridge),2024年從麻省理工學院航空工程學系畢業。她專攻融合機械、電子、材料、軟體和生物等多學科的設計高度自主系統。他的研究目標是利用分散式智慧與控制技術,設計出複雜且模組化的系統,以模仿生物系統的複雜性和模組化。她致力普及化工具、知識和基礎設施,以釋放每個個體的潛在創造力和貢獻潛力。

星期六, 11月 15, 2025

波士頓華埠獅子會服務社區辦飲食健康講座 逾百出席居民人人有禮

波士頓華埠獅子會和紐英崙婦女新運會合辦飲食健康講座。(波士頓華埠獅子會提供)
          Boston Orange)波士頓華埠獅子會(Boston Chinatown Lions Club)和紐英崙婦女新運會(Chinese Womens Association of New England)合作,118日在紐英崙中華公所會議廳舉辦「聰明飲食,健康常在」的營養講座,社區民眾出席踴躍,現場來了逾百人。

講座由獅子會周麗玲主持,中華耆英會的丁心格,何洋這2名註冊營養師主講。

波士頓華埠獅子會會長湯偉雄開場致詞。(波士頓華埠獅子會提供)

            開場時,波士頓華埠獅子會主席湯偉雄感謝各界支持,並介紹出席嘉賓,包括紐英崙中華公所主席雷國輝、紐英崙婦女會共主席李盧蓮馨和張青梅等人。

波士頓華埠獅子會會長湯偉雄送富貴竹,感謝主講者丁心格,何洋
兩位營養師。
(波士頓華埠獅子會提供)
             丁心格、何洋名營養師先請出席者做暖身運動,再以「您覺得低糖奶茶和牛奶水果,哪一樣更健康?」的詢問開頭,在輕鬆幽默、貼近生活的方式中,講解日常飲食中有常量營養素(如蛋白質、脂肪、碳水化合物)與微量營養素(維生素、礦物質),均衡攝取對身體健康很重要。

             丁心格營養師說,吃得健康,是一種生活態度。選擇明智,能為身體注入活力,也讓生活更有節奏。


            在講座中,2名營養師特地提到「富貴病」。她們指出,當人的身體攝取了過多的脂肪、糖分與蛋白質,就容易肥胖,染上痛風、糖尿病等慢性疾病。


講座有近百人出席。(波士頓華埠獅子會提供)
            何洋營養師提醒出席者,11月至1月,假期接二連三,人們在美食面前,容易忍不住的大快朵頤,但應該學會取捨與節制。例如蛋糕、可樂、烤鴨、紅燒肉,這些節日佳餚,雖然美味,卻含高糖高脂,想吃又想保健康,就要搭配蔬菜、水果與適量運動。

            2名營養師在講座最後,還爲出席者依照年齡層,提供了不同吃法的實用建議,包括年輕人應避免過度外食。減少含糖飲品;中年人要注意膽固醇,並體重控制,耆英則應關注蛋白質攝取與腸胃吸收。


            她們建議大家依循「蔬菜—蛋白質—澱粉—甜點」的順序用餐,並遵守「8020法則」,也就是80%的時間保持健康飲食,20%的時間給自己適度放鬆與享受。


            出席講座的人都聽得很高興。其中一名長者笑說,以前覺得營養學離自己很遠,這天才知道原來每天的飲食,可以這麼簡單的有所講究。


            波士頓華埠獅子會為感謝社區大眾支持活動,特地以抽獎方式,送出25份由社區商家贊助的精美獎品,包括唐朝餐館、聚香麵包坊與樂嚐軒烘焙等知名店家的折價券等。當天到場的居民,離席時還都得到一份感謝禮包,內有中華公所準備的新鮮麵包,聯發瓜菜提供的橙子等。


            波士頓華埠獅子會主席湯偉雄還送富貴竹給2名營養師,送花束給協辦方,表達感謝。

新英格蘭台商會講座分享信用卡點數換里程、機票竅門

新英格蘭大波士頓台灣商會會長王志維(右起),秘書長高名震,副會長彭聲翔,
前會長歐陽露等人為講座坐鎮大局。(周菊子攝)
                  (Boston Orange) 新英格蘭大波士頓台灣商會(TCCNE)日前在麻省理工學院宿舍,線上線下同步的舉辦「 信用卡點數哩程入門級應用」講座,邀3名經驗豐富者,分享竅門。

王志為(左起),高名震,歐陽露,彭聲翔感謝講者周郁菁,陳士穎。(周菊子攝)
                  3名講者分別是TCCNE副會長,房地產公司“家在波士頓”的創辦人彭聲翔,從2013年就用信用卡點數換里程,機票,還是Trip+部落格客座作家的百傲健(Biogen)資深主任陳士穎,以及Charming Smile Orthodontics矯正診所的負責醫師,也是哈佛大學矯正專科醫師及牙醫學院研究所講師的周郁菁。

                  他們3人分享了各自累積信用卡點數,換取機票,艙位升等,旅館住宿的經驗,透露曾經成功換取國際航班機票,從經濟艙升等到商務艙,甚至頭等艙等的成績。

講座結束後,出席者交流熱絡。(周菊子攝)
                  內容包括如何累積信用卡點數、如何發揮點數的價值、如何使用不同靈活點數系統兌換航空公司哩程/機票,如何申辦商業卡,也解釋了一些申辦信用卡的迷思。他們還談到一些點數兌換使用的要點。

                  TCCNE前會長歐陽露表示,她也用過信用卡點數來換里程,機票,但是聽了這講座,還真覺得抓到了一些累積點數的竅門。

                  這場講座,線上加線下,有不下50人參加,可見不少人對使用信用卡點數換里程,饒有興趣。

                  TCCNE

波士頓僑教中心主任高家富特地出席會議以示支持。(周菊子攝)
會長,也是“台客遊”創辦人的王志維表示,這是台商會的“旅遊系列”講座之一,希望藉此幫助會員,會友享受人生。當天會後還有抽獎,最幸運的一對夫妻,抽中了白山2日住宿券。

周郁菁分享她為累積點數製作的表格。(周菊子攝)
彭聲翔(左起)主持講座,請周郁菁,陳士穎分享經驗。(周菊子攝)

RX訂明年10月推出首屆MIPIM中東展

         Boston Orange編譯)國際房地產界旗艦會展MIPIM的主辦方RX近日宣佈,將於2026  10  20 日至 21 日,在沙烏地阿拉伯Riyadh的麗思卡爾頓酒店(The Ritz-Carlton)推出首屆“MIPIM中東”。

            RX表示,這是為了把國際房地產和投資界與中東地區的關鍵政策制定者和項目所有者聚集在一起,以實現中東地區雄心勃勃的發展願景。近年來,中東代表團 (如沙烏地阿拉伯、埃及、阿曼、卡達、阿聯酋到法國坎城參加 MIPIM 的頻率與規模迅速增長,彰顯中東的房地產和基礎設施項目,對世界上最具雄心的發展商越來越有吸引力。

            MIPIM中東”會展,將涵蓋當前中東房地產面對的關鍵問題,如可持續發展戰略、釋放城市投資、體育的角色、以及人工智慧 (AI) 的影響。

            MIPIM是個有悠久歷史的房地產界頂級貿易展,每年都從世界上100多個國家吸引2萬多人參加。這每年在法國舉辦的會議,連同在香港舉辦的“MIPIM亞洲“,代表的資產高達4兆元多。

            “MIPIM中東“是MIPIM這國際房地產會議繼“MIPIM亞洲“之後,在歐洲以外的第二個區域性活動,將擴大MIPIM的全球影響力,並支持沙烏地阿拉伯的「願景 2030 」等轉型計劃。

麻大紀念健康中心和藍十字藍盾達成3年協議 20萬患者醫療服務得以延續

              (Boston Orange摘譯)麻州大學紀念健康中心(UMass Memorial Health 和麻州藍十字藍盾(Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts) 日前達成一項新的三年協議,確保了近 20 萬名麻州中部患者的醫療服務得以持續。

2個機構,近來都面對著財務壓力,早前因爲對費用年度報銷率增長幅度有不同看法,起了爭執。麻大要求3.6% 並以質量為準,付給執業護士和醫師助理更高的激勵費用,但藍十字藍盾只同意3.58%

藍十字藍盾等保險公司和醫療服務提供者,近年都面臨成本上升,資金削減的壓力,聯邦醫療補助等的減少,讓他們更是雪上加霜。藍十字藍盾在2025年初,就報告了營運虧損翻倍,面對財務壓力。

由於和麻州大學醫療體系之間的爭議,藍十字藍盾一度警告使用該公司保險的約18.5萬名患者,他們的醫療服務供應者可能會脫離藍十字藍盾體系,意味著這些患者獲取醫療服務的途徑和需要支付的醫療費用,都將改變,患者看病可能需要在來回上花更長時間等等。

            麻州內的醫療保險業者已報告過,在藥物費用,以及其他的醫療護理費用高漲之中,他們面對著紀錄性的損失。在2025年的頭9個月,單只是藍十字藍盾的營運損失就幾乎翻倍,和去年同期的1.14億元漲到2.13億元。

一群麻州猶太居民發信譴責「打擊反猶太主義特別委員會」

             (Boston Orange摘譯) 一群麻州猶太居民11月13日發佈消息,聲稱有1200多麻州猶太居民已簽署一封信,譴責「打擊反猶太主義特別委員會(Special Commission on Combatting Antisemitism)」把反猶主義「武器化」,以保護猶太人為名義,限制言論自由和公民權利。

            這封信聲明,猶太居民們雖然致力消除麻州內的反猶太主義,但不同意「打擊反猶太主義特別委員會」的做法,認為那可能助長聯邦當局的威權措施。

           他們相信,不論他們對猶太人復國主義,以色列如何定義反猶太主義的看法有分歧,但他們都同意猶太人的安全不應該以犧牲公民權利與自由為代價。只有在一個平等保護所有人的權利和福祉的國家中,他們才更安全。

        他們表示,作為麻州猶太居民,他們看到自己的猶太身份被用來鎮壓大學,中小學及工會內的的民權,言論自由,學術自由,損害了所有人的國家經濟和憲法權利。他們呼籲民選官員和學校領導,拒絕以“打擊反猶太主義”為幌子,為那些攻擊行為辯護。

           他們還認為,該委員會正在支持許多川普政府用來恐嚇和懲罰持不同政治觀點師生的論述和政策。


Massachusetts Jews say stop weaponizing our identity.

 

As Jewish residents of Massachusetts, we see our Jewish identities being used to crack down on universities, K-12 education, civil rights, immigrants, free speech, teachers, academic freedom, unions, and more. The resulting damage to individuals, institutions, the state economy, and constitutional rights endangers all residents of the Commonwealth. We call on our elected officials and school leaders to reject attempts to justify these attacks under the guise of fighting antisemitism.

 

We are a diverse community of Jews – Americans, Israelis, and others; young and old; students, educators, lawyers, doctors, health care workers, engineers, rabbis, and more. We differ on many issues, but we are united in the belief that regardless of our views on Zionism, Israel, and how to define antisemitism, we agree that Jewish safety should not come at the expense of our civil liberties and that we are safer in a state that protects the rights and wellbeing of all people equally.

 

We applaud effective strategies to fight antisemitism and all forms of bigotry. That is why we have deep concerns about the Massachusetts Special Commission on Combatting Antisemitism. Led by State Senator John Velis and State Representative Simon Cataldo, this Commission has promoted a narrow view of Jewishness that prioritizes Israel’s reputation over the collective interests and security of the Massachusetts Jewish community. The Special Commission’s K-12 recommendations endorse many of the narratives and policies that Trump employs to intimidate and punish teachers and students for their political views, thereby feeding into today’s climate of surveillance and repression. These policies erase and silence thousands of Massachusetts Jews and signal to the public that to be Jewish is to identify with Israel and its actions, a message which itself will increase antisemitism.

 

We urge our school boards, superintendents, and higher education administrators to reject the Commission’s non-binding recommendations, several of which undermine education and endanger Jews among others who want to exercise their constitutionally protected rights.

 

Through centuries of struggle, we have learned that Jews – like all of our neighbors – are safest when the fight for our rights also safeguards the rights of all people. We call on our elected officials to honor the full range of Jewish voices in the Commonwealth. We call on our elected officials to protect all Massachusetts residents from the federal government’s authoritarian turn.